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Originally posted by Truman:
Hypothetical: There's a new games and comics shop that's opened up in your area. You're about to go in for the first time. What are the things you'd expect to find inside, and more importantly (assuming a realistic possibility) what would you want to find inside that you wouldn't?

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Most likely comics and games would be inside would be my guess.

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Originally posted by Volcanon:
I'd expect:

* A cooler full of butter.
* Free beer (and good beer, not crap like Bud).
* Lower prices than ebay.
* Free giveaways of money rares every day.
* Free drafts of Modern Masters and Urza's Saga.
* Open 24 hours.

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Butter??? Do I want to know why?

__________________
"Message to women worldwide: Girls....we're stupid. We don't like games. We don't know games. We can't read minds. Say it like you mean or STFU." -rockondon

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Originally posted by Truman:
While I am always have an appreciation for snark, I am pretty serious on this one. I'm currently prepping a retail location and would like to get some input on how to (realistically) make this the best store it can be. I want this place to be as close to "The Perfect Store" as it can be. So far, the only novel idea that I personally have come up with is to sell LEGO sets and minifigs that fit with our existing product lines (think the Marvel, DC, Star Wars, LotR lines). The thing is, I'm sure there are other things that would go well, I just know I'm not smart enough to come up with them. I'm hoping maybe someone here is.

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I know this will sound rude and it's not meant to be:

Then why open a store? Shouldn't your business model have been solidified before you closed on a retail space?

__________________
2010 Homer Simpson Award Winner

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Originally posted by Truman:
While I am always have an appreciation for snark, I am pretty serious on this one. I'm currently prepping a retail location and would like to get some input on how to (realistically) make this the best store it can be. I want this place to be as close to "The Perfect Store" as it can be. So far, the only novel idea that I personally have come up with is to sell LEGO sets and minifigs that fit with our existing product lines (think the Marvel, DC, Star Wars, LotR lines). The thing is, I'm sure there are other things that would go well, I just know I'm not smart enough to come up with them. I'm hoping maybe someone here is.

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1) Courteous and knowledgeable staff.
2) A clean, organized, and well-lit store.
3) A good stock of merchandise at reasonable prices.

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Originally posted by OGB:
I know this will sound rude and it's not meant to be:

Then why open a store? Shouldn't your business model have been solidified before you closed on a retail space?

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I'll go to a game shop and just walk around, and I'll see dozens and dozens of board games just sitting there with lots of dust on top.

I'm not going to spend $40 on a game just to see if I'll like it.

Random box minifigs.

For your FMN area - chairs with some padding. Preferably a porous fabric, so you can febreeze that **** the next day.

if you're actively looking to keep people IN the store for a long time, food, seating, and restrooms are insane important. like someone else said, i really dont enjoy being seated in front of merchandise. and if you're selling food and drink, make sure to have a trash can in plain view. possibly a recycling bin for cans too.

__________________
"He fights you not because you have wronged him, but because you are there."

quote:

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Originally posted by Truman:
While I am always have an appreciation for snark, I am pretty serious on this one. I'm currently prepping a retail location and would like to get some input on how to (realistically) make this the best store it can be. I want this place to be as close to "The Perfect Store" as it can be. So far, the only novel idea that I personally have come up with is to sell LEGO sets and minifigs that fit with our existing product lines (think the Marvel, DC, Star Wars, LotR lines). The thing is, I'm sure there are other things that would go well, I just know I'm not smart enough to come up with them. I'm hoping maybe someone here is.

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We are planning on having a freezer with microwavable stuff and are in the process of getting all the legal stuff taken care of to do so. We're also planning on having a Kurieg machine with K-cups on site for the coffee drinkers. Also soda, chips, candy, and other snacks for people are on the menu, so to speak.

Also included in our initial product lines are geek/sci fi/pop culture apparel, Sideshow Collectibles, toys, RPG books, dice, and little things like superhero keychains and other little impulse buy items.

As for events, we're initially looking at something like this:

Mon - Competitive Magic Night/Mini's & Clix
Tue - D&D Delve Night/RPG night
Wed - Magic Draft Night/New Comics Day
Thu - Board Game Night
Fri - FNM (obviously)
Sat - YGO/Pokemons
Sun - All day EDH

Obviously all those dates can be moved to make it the most convenient for our customer base, but it's a starting point.

Volcanon, all great suggestions (esp the butter, good to make sure the card sleeves don't stick together), and we'll be doing just about everything you suggested. Unfortunately for us, there are a couple of established and fairly good sports card and memorabilia places near us that prelude that option. Also video games are out, the place we are opening at has a new/used video game store right next door.

Think one of my favorite places to play was hobbytown when it was still open. Prize support was given out in store credit so you could get packs of cards or save up and get a remote controlled car. If there is a hobbytown near you, it might be worth checking out to get some more ideas as to what you could sell in the store.

Hope this helps and only the best,
Jesse

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Originally posted by ogre:
-Adequate seating and space for players
-Events run on time (keeps the peace)
-A buy list of cards (helps people to spend more money at the store in some instances)
-An overhead projector on an open spot of the wall for displaying pairings (makes it much easier to see who they play as opposed to having 2-3 dozen people, of whom are not all in prime physical condition, run to a confined area to look at a piece of paper).
-.25 cent clementines or banana's (encourage healthy living )

Think one of my favorite places to play was hobbytown when it was still open. Prize support was given out in store credit so you could get packs of cards or save up and get a remote controlled car. If there is a hobbytown near you, it might be worth checking out to get some more ideas as to what you could sell in the store.

Hope this helps and only the best,
Jesse

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A solid looking store front. Like, cases with some stuff, shelves with stuff, prices on stuff. Booster packs from the last few current sets. I play Hero Clix, so I'd love to see Clix being played there.

A clean play area.

As others have said, board games, other card games like Munchkin/Fluxx. Legendary is pretty fun.

Have cans of soda or other beverages. If you can swing a deal with a local eatery, that'd be sweet. Maybe pizza or something to order during events.

A calendar with your upcoming events. Store hours posted on the door or somewhere that I'll see them.

Courteous staff is a good one too. A friend of mine always visits all the stores in the state because he drives everywhere for work. So we'll go visit some of them on the weekends. If we both leave and go, hey these guys were really cool, it's a pleasant experience. I mean, I can't expect people to be overly courteous, give stuff away and throw discounts galore, but you know, be cool.

My biggest thing is prices. A lot of shops here use SCG, which is probably fine. Being a member of MOTL makes me not want to buy those cards unless I absolutely have to, but it's not something that leaves a sour taste in my mouth or anything. I guess my point here is to be as strict as SCG if you're using it. They grade cards strictly, so don't just like look up their NM/M price and call your stuff that if it's SP or MP. Most people don't seem to mind that sort of thing, because shops here do it, but if you do the math, it's strictly worse than just buying from SCG. Trade your gas costs for the price of shipping. If you take things in at SCG buylist, I'd suggest giving the same deals as they do. They give a bonus from their price in credit.

I don't want you to seem like I'm being a prick here, but that's what I see in other stores that I dislike. To me SCG is the high price on cards. Buying played cards at SCG NM price is essentially higher. I mean, at the end of the day, if you're about as good as they are with your singles, you're doing the customers a solid.

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Originally posted by hilikuS:
Haha yes, try not to get scammed.

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Originally posted by oneofchaos:
Most likely comics and games would be inside would be my guess.

Edit: In reality, probably magic for sure. Possibly yugioh or pokemon if those haven't died off yet. The more popular minis games? Some DND books. Some kickstarted game that sucks and will only be around for a week. Some comics. Unhealthy processed food and a soda fridge.

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Literally LOL - it's like, perfect.

Staffing is key. I won't go to some places simply because the staff gives off a scummy vibe. Just make sure the staff looks presentable and enjoys what they're doing. Also, even if you're friendly with some customers, don't let them ruin any other customer's experience. I stopped playing at Kings Games because I found out a judge was ignoring some of his friends' rules violations.

I would suggest getting your hands on small quantities of Doctor Who figurines and accessories for the front counter. My LGS apparently sells them like crack. Anything a girl can buy their boyfriend when they have no idea what to get them is good to have immediately visible. Small Marvel/DC figures that don't look childish and don't cost an arm/leg.

Single twenty-sided dice; I hate losing dice (or more likely, forgetting to bring it) and not being able to get a replacement.

If you have the space, I know a few places around here that have computers that you can buy time on (not sure how complicated the setup is, or if you have space for it). Preinstall WoW if you plan on doing this. Some places also have video game systems with games available for people to buy time on. If you're going the technology route, free wifi would also be awesome.

Magic players love promos. If you can't get a Wizards stamp in time, try to find a way to get your hands on the FNM/Game Day promos, or at least make up for not having them. One of my local stores lost their status and couldn't get promo cards for months, and it started to bum me out.

Much luck.

I try to support local businesses but money is tight now days and it's hard to resist the temptation to buy things for much cheaper online.

I would really appreciate it if my LGS had a program that if I spent a certain level in a year or all time, maybe I get 5% off. Maybe a small discount on preordering booster boxes. It wouldn't have to be a larg discounte in order to encourage me to spend it in your store.